Binary and multivariate Stochastic models of consensus formation

Binary and multivariate stochastic models of consensus formation are discussed. The voter model, which is the simplest model of collective behavior, is defined by a set of voters who have two opinions or spins at a network's nodes. The elementary dynamical step consists of randomly choosing a node and assigning it the opinion or spin value of one of its nearest neighbors, also chosen at random. This opinion-formation mechanism reflects the agents' complete lack of self-confidence and could be appropriate for describing processes of opinion formation in certain groups in which imitation is prevalent. Axelrod Model, in which order-disorder transition becomes system-size dependent, is also discussed.